Several artificial bone grafts have been developed but fail to achieve anticipated osteogenesis due to their insufficient neovascularization capacity and periosteum support. This study aimed to develop a vascularized bone-periosteum construct (VBPC) to provide better angiogenesis and osteogenesis for bone regeneration. A total of 24 male New Zealand white rabbits were divided into four groups according to the experimental materials. Allogenic adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (AMSCs) were cultured and seeded evenly in the collagen/chitosan sheet to form cell sheet as periosteum. Simultaneously, allogenic AMSCs were seeded onto alginate beads and were cultured to differentiate to endothelial-like cells to form vascularized bone construct (VBC). The cell sheet was wrapped onto VBC to create a vascularized bone-periosteum construct (VBPC). Four different experimental materials – acellular construct, VBC, non-vascularized bone-periosteum construct, and VBPC – were then implanted in bilateral L4-L5 intertransverse space. At 12 weeks post-surgery, the bone-forming capacities were determined by CT, biomechanical testing, histology, and immunohistochemistry staining analyses.Aims
Methods
To test the hypothesis that reseeded anterior cruciate ligament (ACL)-derived cells have a better ability to survive and integrate into tendon extracellular matrix (ECM) and accelerate the ligamentization process, compared to adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ADMSCs). Acellularized tibialis allograft tendons were used. Tendons were randomly reseeded with ACL-derived cells or ADMSCs. ACL-derived cells were harvested and isolated from remnants of ruptured ACLs during reconstruction surgery and cultured at passage three. Cell suspensions (200 µl) containing 2 × 106 ACL-derived cells or ADMSCs were prepared for the purpose of reseeding. At days 1, 3, and 7 post-reseeding, graft composites were assessed for repopulation with histological and immunohistochemical analysis. Matrix protein contents and gene expression levels were analyzed.Aims
Methods
The use of 3D-printed titanium implant (DT) can effectively guide bone regeneration. DT triggers a continuous host immune reaction, including macrophage type 1 polarization, that resists osseointegration. Interleukin 4 (IL4) is a specific cytokine modulating osteogenic capability that switches macrophage polarization type 1 to type 2, and this switch favours bone regeneration. IL4 at concentrations of 0, 30, and 100 ng/ml was used at day 3 to create a biomimetic environment for bone marrow mesenchymal stromal cell (BMMSC) osteogenesis and macrophage polarization on the DT. The osteogenic and immune responses of BMMSCs and macrophages were evaluated respectively.Aims
Methods
Extracellular matrix (ECM) and its architecture have a vital role in articular cartilage (AC) structure and function. We hypothesized that a multi-layered chitosan-gelatin (CG) scaffold that resembles ECM, as well as native collagen architecture of AC, will achieve superior chondrogenesis and AC regeneration. We also compared its in vitro and in vivo outcomes with randomly aligned CG scaffold. Rabbit bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) were differentiated into the chondrogenic lineage on scaffolds. Quality of in vitro regenerated cartilage was assessed by cell viability, growth, matrix synthesis, and differentiation. Bilateral osteochondral defects were created in 15 four-month-old male New Zealand white rabbits and segregated into three treatment groups with five in each. The groups were: 1) untreated and allogeneic chondrocytes; 2) multi-layered scaffold with and without cells; and 3) randomly aligned scaffold with and without cells. After four months of follow-up, the outcome was assessed using histology and immunostaining.Aims
Methods
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the in vitro effects of apocynin, an inhibitor of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase (NOX) and a downregulator of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS), on high glucose-induced oxidative stress on tenocytes. Tenocytes from normal Sprague-Dawley rats were cultured in both control and high-glucose conditions. Apocynin was added at cell seeding, dividing the tenocytes into four groups: the control group; regular glucose with apocynin (RG apo+); high glucose with apocynin (HG apo+); and high glucose without apocynin (HG apo–). Reactive oxygen species production, cell proliferation, apoptosis and messenger RNA (mRNA) expression of NOX1 and 4, and interleukin-6 (IL-6) were determined in vitro.Aims
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